Q: There are many of private apartments in Dubai advertised as holiday homes for short-term rent. As far as I know, there is a special regulation of such leasing in Dubai, requiring a permission from the government authorities.How can I be sure, that booking of an apartment for a short stay, let's say through Airbnb, is legal? What documents should I ask from the landlord to be on a safe side?

Q: Based on Dubai's strong reputation, we invested and now own a couple of off-plan properties in the UAE. (1) Over the years, the master developer has changed the SPA agreement 3 times - how does this affect the original SPA which many owners still hold? (2) The original SPA does not allow for "sharing or staff accommodation or AirBnB units within the development yet the developer allows this (claiming this is a government directive). Is this legal ie to breach the SPA terms? (3) As there is no RERA or any property-governing body in this Emirate - what department can be approached to resolve this?

Q: Hi Madam, An agency has taken my money for providing me with 6 months of accommodation in a hotel apartment. They did not provide me with the accommodation and after a lot of efforts, I am able to get my partial money back. But the agency is not refunding my remaining amount and they are not opening their office nor responding to my call (they have blocked my number and don't respond to any new number). Can I file a case in the rental dispute centre and also claim compensation for all the trouble me and my family went through and the expenses incurred? They took AED 2000 cash, a cheque of AED 12500 dated 2nd may (which they used) and another cheque of AED 12500. After police called them, they returned my 2nd unused cheque and AED 7000 in cash. I have AED 7500 refund pending. Kindly suggest. Thanks, S.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have a property registered with DTCM for short-term leasing, and now one of my guests refuses to leave and demands a refund for his stay. What legal options are available to me to resolve this situation and remove him from the property, and how much time will it take to do so? Would settling with him for a refund be cheaper than pursuing legal procedures?

The provisions of this Decree apply to all individuals and entities conducting the activity of leasing out holiday homes in the Emirate of Dubai, including special development zones and free zones. Conditions and requirements should be determined by the DTCM in coordination with the concerned entities.

This Law establishes interim property register in which sale contracts, off-plan sales, and other off-plan legal dispositions of real property are registered prior to inclusion in the property register maintained by Dubai Land Department.

The provisions of this Law supersede articles (2) and (11) of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.

This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.